Predicting NFL award winners

November 6, 2008

If awards were given out in the NFL at midseason, the Tennessee Titans, at 8-0, would take home a good portion of them.

But with eight weeks remaining and the Titans playing five of their games on the road, it's probably safe to say some of their current award leaders won't be still among the best in the league by the end of December.

The following is an attempt to guess the midseason and eventual winners of the NFL's top awards:

MVP: Current leader: Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals. He leads the NFC in passing and has Arizona sitting nicely atop the NFC West standings. Eventual winner: Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles. If Philadelphia makes the playoffs out of the tough NFC East, McNabb should be a leading candidate.

Offensive player of the year: Current leader: Drew Brees, QB, Saints. He's also a current MVP candidate because he is carrying his team like no other player right now. Eventual winner: Warner. With Arizona playing in a bad division, Warner, with a strong receiving corps and an improving running game, will be able to continue posting big numbers.

Defensive player of the year: Current leader: Albert Haynesworth, DT, Titans. Haynesworth is the main focal point of one of the league's best defenses. Eventual winner: Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens. If Baltimore finishes above .500, Lewis will get a bunch of votes just on name recognition, although the Dolphins' Joey Porter and the Giants' Justin Tuck may ultimately be more deserving.

Offensive rookie of the year: Current leader: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans. He leads the AFC in rushing. Eventual winner: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. His statistics aren't among the best, but if he can keep the Falcons in contention, he'll have an advantage over all others in a strong field.

Defensive rookie of the year: Current leader: Jerod Mayo, LB, Patriots. He is the best right now, despite the strong play of Redskins safety Chris Horton. Eventual winner: Chris Long, DE, Rams. St. Louis and Long should continue to improve over the second half of the season.

Comeback player of the year: Current leader: Kerry Collins, QB, Titans. He was considered to be washed-up but now has Tennessee unbeaten. Eventual winner: Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers. He returned from elbow surgery and should get the Panthers into the playoffs. It would be nice to see the Bills' Kevin Everett, who walked onto the field for the Bills' opener, get some votes.

Coach of the year: Current leader: Jeff Fisher, Titans. He's doing the best coaching job of his stellar career. Eventual winner: Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals. Arizona should win the NFC West by a huge margin, catapulting Whisenhunt.

NFL Week No. 10

Game of the week: Giants at Eagles, 4:15 Sunday (FOX)

Upset special: Bears (+3) at home vs. Titans

Fantasy tip: With a week's rest and playing the Chiefs at home, expect the Chargers' top players to have big games Sunday.